Tension prevails in Karachi on 3rd day running

KARACHI: Karachi remained in grip of tension on third day running as many incidents of aerial firing and closure of trade and commercial centres were reported on Thursday.After the arrest of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM)’s Chief Altaf Hussain by London Metropolitan Police on Tuesday, economic activities in Karachi could not come to normalcy. Hours after life was returning normal on Thursday, aerial firing was reported from Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Liaqatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Golimar, Garden, Soldier Bazaar, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Korangi and other parts of the city that compelled people to close down their businesses. The public transporters kept their vehicles off the roads while petrol pumps and gas filling stations remained closed.The commuters faced fuel and gas shortage in Karachi while fuel supply remained disrupted to other cities due to suspension of transport activity from oil companies. A spokesman of Oil Tankers Association said most of the fuel stations in city remained shut due on security concerns, some 3,000 oil tankers supply petrol and diesel to city’s fuel stations daily. Besides around 5,000 trucks carry fuel for upcountry cities, he added. However MQM Coordination Committee refuted the reports that elements involved in forceful closure of businesses were workers of the party. MQM has nothing to do with those trying to close down shops and markets forcefully. The Committee said it allowed the people and traders to continue their business activities. It condemned the miscreant elements who were involved in closing down businesses in some areas of Karachi and Hyderabad. Elements want to deteriorate the situation deliberately so MQM could be blamed, said MQM Committee. Police and Rangers were patrolling in various localities. Police and Rangers were trying to provide security to people.